An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray source irradiating X-rays to a subject from a plurality of locations; an X-ray detector detecting X-rays irradiated from the plurality of locations and passing through the subject; and a controller configured to obtain a plurality of projected images corresponding to the plurality of locations from the detected X-rays, create a plurality of sectional images by reconstructing the plurality of projected images, determine at least one of the plurality of sectional images having a preset feature in a region of interest, and insert an indicator to indicate the feature to the at least one sectional image.

There is provided a method for predicting risk of osteoporotic fracture, comprising: receiving imaging data of a computed tomography (CT) scan of a body of a patient containing at least a bone portion, the CT scan being performed with settings selected for imaging of non-osteoporosis related pathology; processing the imaging data to identify the bone portion; automatically extracting features based on the imaging data denoting the identified bone portion; computing an osteoporotic fracture predictive factor indicative of the risk of developing at least one osteoporotic fracture in the patient, or the risk of the patient having at least one severe osteoporotic fracture, based on the extracted features, the predictive factor calculated by applying a trained osteoporotic fracture classifier to the extracted features, the osteoporotic fracture classifier trained from data from a plurality of CT scans performed with settings selected for imaging non-osteoporosis related pathology; and providing the predictive factor.

Apparatus for performing a procedure using a tool configured to be advanced into a skeletal portion within a body of a subject along a longitudinal insertion path, and for use with: (a) a 3D imaging device configured to acquire 3D image data of the skeletal portion. (b) a 2D x-ray imaging device that is unregistered with respect to the subject's body and configured, while a portion of the tool is disposed at a first location along the longitudinal insertion path.

A system for surgical planning and assessment of spinal pathology or spinal deformity correction in a subject, the system comprises a control unit configured to align one or more vertebral bodies of a biomechanical model to one or more vertebral bodies of the radiograph. The control unit is configured to receive one or more spinal correction inputs. The control unit is configured to, based on the received one or more spinal correction inputs, simulate the biomechanical model in a predetermined posture. The control unit is configured to provide for display one or more characteristics of the simulated biomechanical model.

The subject of this invention is a system and method for distortion adaptation for use with an imaging grid alignment apparatus (analogue or digital) and method of intra-operative use for joint replacements, spine, trauma fracture reductions and deformity correction and implant placement/alignment. The system provides for real time dynamic position tracked distortion-adaption grid.

Methods and systems are provided for whole-body spine labeling. In one embodiment, a method comprises acquiring a non-functional image volume of a spine, acquiring a functional image volume of the spine, automatically labeling the non-functional image volume with spine labels, automatically correcting the geometric misalignments and registering the functional image volume, and propagating the spine labels to the functional image volume. In this way, the anatomical details of non-functional imaging volumes may be leveraged to improve clinical diagnoses based on functional imaging, such as diffusion weighted imaging (DWI).

A difference image generation unit generates a difference image between first and second three-dimensional images. A combining unit generates a composite image in which the difference image is superimposed on at least one of the first three-dimensional image or the second three-dimensional image. A range specifying unit specifies a generation range of the difference image in a direction, in which the tomographic images are arranged, in at least one of the first three-dimensional image or the second three-dimensional image. A display controller displays the composite image on a display unit. In this case, first information indicating a generation range of each of the tomographic images and second information indicating the generation range of the difference image are displayed.

Systems and methods are provided in which intraoperatively acquired surface data is employed to verify the correspondence of an intraoperatively selected spinal level with a spinal level that is pre-selected based on volumetric image data. Segmented surface data corresponding to the pre-selected spinal levels may be obtained from the volumetric image data, such that the segmented surface data corresponds to a spinal segment that is expected to be exposed and identified intraoperatively during the surgical procedure. The segmented surface data from the pre-selected spinal level, and adjacent segmented surface data from an adjacent spinal level that is adjacent to the pre-selected spinal level, is registered to the intraoperative surface data, and quality measures associated with the registration are obtained, thereby permitting an assessment or a determination of whether or not the pre-selected spinal surface (in the volumetric frame of reference) is likely to correspond to the intraoperatively selected spinal level.

A spinal image generation system based on the ultrasonic rubbing technique, comprises an acquisition unit and a processing unit. The system generates the ultrasonic rubbing based on two-dimensional spinal ultrasonic images. The image needs to include surface characteristic contour of the vertebra structure. The ultrasonic rubbing matches with a digital medical image through characteristic contour. After matching, a personalized spinal surface topographical map is established, which keeps real-time updating consistently with the intraoperative posture of the patient under surgical condition. A positioning and navigation system for spinal surgery based on the spinal image generation system, comprising a navigation module and the image generation system above. The navigation system can acquire a personalized spinal surface topographical map, which keeps real-time updating consistently with the intraoperative posture of the patient under surgical condition.

For processing a medical image, medical image data representing a medical image of at least a portion of a vertebral column is received. The medical image data is processed to determine a plurality of positions within the image. Each of the plurality of positions corresponds to a position relating to a vertebral bone within the vertebral column. Data representing the plurality of positions is processed to determine a degree of deformity of at least one vertebral bone within the vertebral column.